New York Times ‘Room For Debate’ Features Several Opinion Pieces Examining U.S. Anti-Prostitution Pledge, HIV Prevention Efforts

Aug 31, 2016

New York Times: Room for Debate: The Anti-Prostitution Oath and Foreign Aid for HIV/AIDS
Multiple authors

“Foreign NGOs that receive funds from the United States for HIV prevention must sign an anti-prostitution pledge — a statement of unequivocal opposition to prostitution — even though that policy was overturned for domestic organizations by the Supreme Court. Some say that requiring NGOs to sign the oath excludes sex workers from meaningful assistance by reinforcing stigmas. Others say that it is necessary because legitimizing prostitution is a tacit sanction of human trafficking and abuse. Is the anti-prostitution pledge doing more harm than good for HIV prevention?” The newspaper features opinion pieces from Serra Sippel, president of the Center for Health and Gender Equity (CHANGE); Taina Bien-Aimé, executive director of the Coalition Against Trafficking in Women; Betania Santos, a member of the Davida Collective and coordinator of the Associação Mulheres Guerreiras, or Warrior Women Association, and Laura Murray, deputy executive director of Davida; and Shelby Quast, director of the Americas Office of Equality Now (8/30).